I HAVE been profligate of happiness And reckless of the…
““I HAVE been profligate of happiness And reckless of the world’s hostility, The blessèd part has not been given to me Gladly to suffer fools, I do confess I have enticed and merited distress, By this, that I have never bow’d the knee Before the shrine of wise Hypocrisy...””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker confesses reckless joy and suffering, yet refuses to bow to false wisdom, valuing authentic experience over hypocrisy.
In simple terms: He chooses real feeling over pretended wisdom.
Key Takeaway
Seek authenticity, not empty pretensions.
Themes
authenticity
rebellion
philosophy
Mood
introspective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- personal crises
- creative pursuits
- social conformity
- moral dilemmas
Key Concepts
existential honesty
self‑acceptance
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever hide your true feelings?
- What does “wise hypocrisy” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
True authenticity can be socially costly.